November is prime time for Nashville celebrity sightings

Nov. 3, 2013
|

ABCâ??s "Nashville" star Chip Esten is seen here serving guests at Kevin Carterâ??s Waiting for Wishes event benefiting Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee. While the event happens in spring, it's held at The Palm. Carter is a former NFL star and ESPNU analyst. / The Palm

by Stacie Standifer, 10Best (a division of USA TODAY)

by Stacie Standifer, 10Best (a division of USA TODAY)

November is a fantastic time to visit Nashville, especially for fans of recording artists. Famous faces from all music genres gather in the city to celebrate a host of award ceremonies and once-a-year industry banquets. This Sunday, a behind-the-scenes documentary, For the Love of Music: The Story of Nashville, debuts, and it will surely make the pull of November even stronger.

While the Country Music Association Awards will also captivate a television audience on Wednesday evening, savvy visitors know that special moments will happen all over the city this week, as artists gather to honor songwriters and industry peers at BMI, ASCAP and SESAC banquets.

Where to run into stars

While industry insiders visit with each other during this busy week, fans in the know can get a glimpse of their favorite stars in truly intimate moments. The stars will be meeting with actors, producers and other notables in local restaurants and watering holes. The trick is in knowing where - and also knowing what to do when faced with a star you recognize.

For cocktails, don't limit stops to tourist-directed guides focused on Broadway's honky-tonks. Visit them, certainly, but seek out haunts off of the beaten path. Stars like Hayden Panettiere (who plays Juliette Barnes on ABC's Nashville) cite hidden treasures like Santa's Pub or South Street as favorites. The Tippler in Midtown is also a great stop, as it's located at the bottom of the Adelicia residential tower that's home to several of the area's most popular artists.

One place everyone frequents without worry of intrusion is The Palm, which is directly across the street from the city's Bridgestone Center Arena. Most nights, at least one of the clubby, private rooms houses celebrities (and not just from the music world; non-music personalities like Peyton Manning and Mel Gibson have been spotted there).

Usually, patrons enjoy signature martinis and steaks in booths on the main floor. Just don't go up and interrupt anyone's meal. Order the 'off the menu' Shrimp Bruno and enjoy the view. Respecting privacy is understood in Nashville, so save photo opportunities for the endless signed caricatures that line the walls ... unless you want a fast escort to the door.

Special events this week

Early November visitors to Nashville benefit from the outpouring of celebrities before and after every big night, as well as having the chance to enjoy dozens of free events and concerts throughout the week. One of the most anticipated is Luke Bryan's performance when Good Morning America broadcasts live from the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday morning.

The CMA Awards will go off that evening at the same venue, which will surely be sporting a red carpet for performers which include Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line and Kacey Musgraves. Also in town to perform at the CMAs will be Alan Jackson and George Strait - the two top nominees in the awards show's history - who will be paying tribute to the late, legendary George Jones. The show is scheduled from 8-11 p.m. ET (ABC) for those wanting to secure a post-show seat in a local hot spot.

Nashville must-sees

A visit to Nashville should include a few prerequisites. It's truly magical to see a show in the historic Ryman Auditorium for the first time. If you get a chance for tickets to a performance here, take it. But, an even more inspirational experience is to book a tour backstage and in the heart of the building. The stories and traditions you'll discover are authentic and fascinating (and not on everyone's radar).

For a souvenir unlike any other, stop into Hatch Show Prints, where custom-designed posters reflect so much of the city's past. Be prepared to stay awhile. The process, the people and their talent are all captivating. This historic print shop - in business since 1879 - is one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in the country and has just moved into its new space within the massive expansion of the Country Music Hall of Fame, which links this attraction to the new Omni Nashville Hotel.

There are two places that should be on the top of your list for a bit of history and detail on all things music-related. The Country Music Hall of Fame offers tours daily and has intimate displays along with artist detail you will not find anywhere else. A few blocks away, the new Songwriter's Hall of Fame is completely entertaining. In the new Music City Center, this state-of-the-art facility has interactive videos and dozens of ways to be completely captivated by the content and the talent stretching.

The documentary

The debut of For the Love of Music: The Story of Nashville celebrates the rich heritage of entertainment in the city's history. Viewers will see what drives the spirit of Nashville and why musicians continue to flock (and stay) there. From-up close and personal interviews and sessions with The Black Keys and Kings of Leon to stories behind the songs of famous songwriters - like the legendary Kris Kristofferson and Emmylou Harris - this is a must-watch for music fans and will surely inspire many a trip.